To infinity and beyond.

To infinity and beyond.

One of the buzzwords today is to be resilient.

Resilience 1: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress 2: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change Merriam-webster dictionary

Resilience has been defined by the ability of human beings to confront adversity and adapt to the bad results, failures, tragedies, traumas or stress that can generate us. Acting in a resilient way does not mean that we are insensitive or that we do not experience difficulties, knowing that at some point in our lives we have all felt sadness, uncertainty, discomfort or pain, whether physical or emotional; but despite all the obstacles and difficulties that arise, even so, most of us are able to overcome and adapt over time.

In Toastmasters we consciously face situations that cause us nervousness and worry. We present ourselves before a public eager to hear us and give an opinion about what we do. On the other hand, during the sessions, we take leadership roles that we are sometimes not willing to take in real life. 

Additionally, we participate in Table Topics or improvised themes where we face the public, an unknown topic, and the unmerciful traffic light.

I have found that among the reasons to attend a Toastmasters club is to speak in public and confront the nervousness we have in doing it, possibly having the feeling of not doing it correctly and feeling that we have failed to do so before.

In the sessions of Toastmasters, we apply the recipe of recognizing it, practice it, repeat it and dominate it.

The hope of being able to achieve it and see that over time we see how we are dominating that fear or seeing several colleagues as they are achieving it, they reinforce the feeling of resilience, this is to confront the bad results and failures and overcome and adapt to it over time.

Some people are not prepared for failure and take a lot of stress to accept. They live in the first stage of denial, not accepting that limitation. In our life plan, sometimes we do not consider that each person is different and develops skills throughout life. It is not something that you have in DNA, but you have to practice it. We take it from our family or social environment and replicates the behavior we saw in them, as our parents, friends or idols do. In some cases, we do not notice that if we do not develop those skills, we will be limiting ourselves to many of our activities.

When we enter today’s competitive working life we see that we are possibly not such good sellers or we are not the leaders we thought. The results of job interviews, sales sessions or project results are not as expected and we end up frustrating.

The methodology developed by Toastmasters has proved that like any habit you wish to develop, you will need the perseverance, preparation, and evaluation should help to get that habit. There are many methods to develop habits and they are basically focused on perseverance and repetition. 

Toastmasters offers you the scenario to practice also helping you through a mentor. Fortunate are those who find that person who is willing to reach your goal and will try to support you to do so. Many do it as part of the program but many others do it equally as an exercise to apply it in real life or for the sole desire to see someone achieve their goals.

In summary, the Toastmasters program will help you overcome fear and improve the ability to speak to the audience, and help you become resilient and overcome the failures you encounter. There will always be someone who, without expecting something back, will be able to give you their opinion so that you can improve and gain that high self-steam you are looking for.

On the other hand, you will also develop the leadership skill that is demanded on business. We can have the highest knowledge in our professional area, but we have never prepared to be group leaders and deliver the idea. Here, with active participation in the sessions, you will also develop the habit of leading groups.

When overcoming the restrictions that we have imposed, step by step we will see that we will be able to achieve objectives that in other moments would be impossible to face, in Toastmasters you can achieve it and only you decide where you want to go setting the target you choose, weather is a short one or maybe your target is located at….

The infinite and beyond!

Last session.

The last session was a good opportunity to learn in a perfect environment, between friends and people eager to help others to achieve goals and grow as leaders. Nothing will stop you if you have the will to go the extra mile.

This session was led by Armando Yepez, again as Toastmaster for the night he prepared a session full of details and humor that enhanced the session. As usual, Armando has experience and wants to share what he learned on his journey as a big leader he is.

Experienced and novice Toastmasters gather to help each other. This is the spirit of Ralph Smedley lingering on the venue.

One important part of the session is; Why or what is Toastmasters”, and this time was the opportunity for Francisco Ruiz, who gave an interesting speech with good information and encouraging the audience to join the club.

Prepared speeches.

Starting with the Pathways program, Jorge A. Rivera presented his icebreaker with a speech entitled “Fighting the dark forces”. He explained, again, the journey to get into this club. His origins and how Toastmasters had helped him to have the needed tools to deliver a speech that had a lot of meaning in his daughter wedding. This is the true use of the Table Topics we have every session.

The evaluation was from Guadalupe Reyes.

Table Topics.

Every time there is a new Table Topics Toastmaster, is a moment we know we will have new ideas and opportunities. This time Nora Pinelo took the challenge and prepared some interesting ideas to the volunteer who accepted to share the stage and learn. Remember, stage time is the secret to improve public speaking.

Duty Holders.

General Evaluator:	Sergio Cisneros
Grammarian:	David Venegas
Ah-Counter:	Raul Huerta
Timer:	Mike Delgadillo

Thanks team for your support and your feedback to help us improve every time.

General Information

·       Online Tool

Take a look at the calendar we have on the web to save a place for the following sessions. We need to look in advance who will be the speakers and duty holders to have better sessions.

·       Officers Training sessions

The next officers training session will be on February 24^th. Be prepared to attend. This event is mandatory for Club officers and optional for any club members. Is going to be an exceptional learning experience. The place for this sessions is still pending to be announced, be prepared to live the experience.

Next session.

The next session will be next Tuesday, January 31st.  Our sessions are taking place every Tuesday at Torre Mayor 9^th floor, Paseo de la Reforma 505 at 8:00 p.m., please be on time to make all the arrangements to start as usual.

Remember that we have Spanish sessions on Wednesdays.

Keep on practicing!

Bring guests to the session, everyone needs this space to practice and develop their communication and leadership skills.

If you need more information send us an email or follow us on Meetup.

Great opportunity to learn.

We will be waiting for you
Jorge A. Rivera CC, CL